Thursday, October 28, 2010

Gospel PassageLuke 19:1 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And there was aman named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector, and rich. 3 And hesought to see who Jesus was, but could not, on account of the crowd, becausehe was small of stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into asycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way. 5 And when Jesuscame to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste andcome down; for I must stay at your house today." 6 So he made haste andcame down, and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it they allmurmured, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner." 8 AndZacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods Igive to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore itfourfold." 9 And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house,since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man came to seek and tosave the lost."

Questions for discussion - 1. Zacchaeus could not see Jesus “on account of the crowd.” Do others ever getin your way of seeing Jesus? or make it harder to see Jesus?

2. Zacchaeus was happy to let Jesus come into his home. We can let Jesus intoour body and soul by taking Holy Communion. Are you joyful and happy when you receive Jesus into your body and soul in HolyCommunion? What do you do to get ready for Him? What do you do to prepare yourself to welcome him?

3. Jesus says he came to “seek and to save the lost.” About whom was hespeaking? Can you think of anyone who is “lost” because he or she does not know about Jesus? How can we help them to find Jesus?used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

The greatest gift that we can give anyone is the gift of Jesus. When Zacchaeus experienced Jesus, his life changed and he made great restitution. When we really know the Lord, our lives are different because they reflect Jesus. Pray that each of us will really know the Lord and that we can share Jesus with others. When we are converted to the person of Jesus, we will want to learn more about Him and we will want to worship Him constantly. Time will not be an issue.used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Friday, October 22, 2010

Gospel PassageLuke 18:9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves thatthey were righteous and despised others: 10 "Two men went up into thetemple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Phariseestood and prayed thus with himself, `God, I thank thee that I am not likeother men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' 13 But the tax collector,standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat hisbreast, saying, `God, be merciful to me a sinner!' 14 I tell you, this man wentdown to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exaltshimself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Questions for discussion -

1. Jesus praises the humble tax collector who begs God for mercy for all hissins. How often do you ask God to be merciful to you?

2. The Pharisee (a teacher in Judaism) seemed to be a good man, who gave upfood, gave 10% of his money to the Church and prayed a lot. Why do you thinkJesus said he went away without getting his prayer heard?

3. How do you pray? Do you pray more like the humble tax collector or morelike the proud Pharisee? Be honest.used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the onewho humbles himself will be exalted.” The parable of thePharisee and the tax collector is very familiar to most people.The Pharisee did not do anything wrong, as he boasted, but hethought that he was good on his own power. We do not knowwhether or not the tax collector did anything wrong, but herecognized that he needed God in his life. Remember that weare poor on our own, but rich with God’s goodness and grace.used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Friday, October 15, 2010

Gospel PassageLuke 18:1 And he told them a parable, to the effect that they ought alwaysto pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, "In a certain city there was a judgewho neither feared God nor regarded man; 3 and there was a widow in thatcity who kept coming to him and saying, `Vindicate me against myadversary.' 4 For a while he refused; but afterward he said to himself,`Though I neither fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widowbothers me, I will vindicate her, or she will wear me out by her continualcoming.'" 6 And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7And will not God vindicate his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will hedelay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will vindicate them speedily.Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

Questions for discussion -

1. The woman in the story never gave up asking for help. Jesus says to pray andnever give up. Would Jesus think you are doing a good job praying, or do yougive up when you pray?

2. Jesus wonders whether, when he returns, he will find faith on earth. Whatdoes this mean, “when he returns”? When is he coming again? What will he dothen?

3. Jesus wonders whether he will find faith on earth. What do you think youcan do at least to ensure that he will find faith in you?used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMEBe persistent in prayer. Pray behind the scenes. Donot give up. Your prayer is heard. These are encouragingwords given us by our God today. As long as Moses’ armswere raised in prayer, his people were victorious. Jesus tellsHis disciples and us that we should pray always withoutgrowing weary. We can do a lot of good for others andourselves when we continue to raise our hearts in prayer.used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Saturday, October 9, 2010

God's call to salvation is universal. He has created everyone for Himself and desires that everyone shares eternal happiness with Him. In the history of salvation, some had false notions about who was to be saved. The readings today show that God has called everyone, no matter what nationality. Naaman was not any Israelite, but was still cured by Elisha the prophet. The one who returned to give thanks was a Samaritan. The Lord reminds us that He wants everyone to accept His eternal healing, which is Heaven.used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Gospel PassageLuke 17:11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Sama'riaand Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, whostood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices and said, "Jesus, Master,have mercy on us." 14 When he saw them he said to them, "Go and showyourselves to the priests." And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Thenone of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising Godwith a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks.Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then said Jesus, "Were not ten cleansed?Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to Godexcept this foreigner?" 19 And he said to him, "Rise and go your way; yourfaith has made you well."

Questions for discussion -

1. In this story, Jesus did a miracle! He made ugly terrible skin sores disappearon ten sick people. Only one came back to say thank you. When God or anyonedoes something for you, do you always returnto say thanks?

2. Jesus loved the sick people that other people were mean to. How do you acttoward people with problems that no one else seems to love and care for?

3. Why do you think the other nine sick people never returned to say thanks fortaking the sores away? Why do you think some people never say thank you and are ungrateful when others do good things for them?used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Friday, October 1, 2010

Gospel PassageLuke 17:5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" 6 And theLord said, "If you had faith the size of a grain of mustard seed, you could sayto this sycamore tree, `Be rooted up, and be planted in the sea,' and it wouldobey you. 7 "Will any one of you, who has a servant plowing or keepingsheep, say to him when he has come in from the field, `Come at once and sitdown at table'? 8 Will he not rather say to him, `Prepare supper for me, andgird yourself and serve me, till I eat and drink; and afterward you shall eatand drink'? 9 Does he thank the servant because he did what wascommanded? 10 So you also, when you have done all that is commandedyou, say, `We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was ourduty.'"

Questions for discussion -

1. The apostles asked the Lord to increase their faith. What ways can you use togrow in faith?

2. A mustard seed is very small. If you have faith even that small size, Jesussays, God will allow you to do big things for Him. Do you pray knowingthat God wants to hear your prayers?

3. Jesus says to the apostles that we should not be proud about faith, butgrateful to him, because it is a gift. Prayer is not just a privilege but a duty.What duties, what responsibilities, do you have toward God? What elsedoes God expect you to do?used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME A question that perhaps at times we ask ourselves is:“Don’t I have faith?” “I have asked for a particular favor and Ihave not received it! God’s word tells me that, if I have faiththe size of a mustard seed, everything would be granted to me.God doesn’t seem to answer my prayer.” The Lord does indeedhear our prayer and grants it according to the plan that willbring eternal happiness. It sometimes takes time and we needto be patient.used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Resources for the Catholic Family

Prayer to the Holy Family

Lord Jesus Christ, who, being made subjectto Mary and Joseph, did consecrate domestic life byYour unspeakable virtues; grant that we, with the assistance of both, may be taught by the example of your Holy Family, and may attain to its everlasing fellowship. Who lives and reigns, world without end. Amen.